Long gone

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that Don Long has been named Hitting Coach at the Major League level. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington and Field Manager John Russell. This is Long's first Major League coaching position.  

The 45-year-old Long spent the last nine years as the minor league hitting coordinator with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Washington state native made multiple visits to Reading each season since 1999 to work with Phillies prospects. Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard all had breakout seasons in Reading while Long was overseeing the organization's hitting program.  

Russell, the Pirates new manager, was the Phillies Triple-A manager for two seasons (2006-07).

Prior to joining the Phillies Long spent 12 seasons as a manager in the Angels minor league system. He was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year with Vancouver in 1995, Texas League Manager of the Year with Midland in 1991 and Midwest League Manager of the Year after capturing the league title with Quad City in 1990. A former infielder, Long played three years in the Giants farm system before serving as the Head Baseball Coach at Seattle University in 1986. He began his managerial career with Quad City in 1987. 

"We are pleased to add Don to our Major League Staff," said Huntington. "He is a veteran hitting instructor who will positively impact our hitters' mental approaches, game plans and swing mechanics. Don is a great communicator and a tireless worker who has had successful results wherever he has been."

This story was posted on November 28, 2007